Thunder Improve to 3-0

RIVER FALLS, Wisc., – No. 17 Trine scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second half to remain undefeated with a 35-14 win over Wisconsin-River Falls Saturday in Division III College football.

With 10:24 to play in the third quarter, Ja Vontae Hence (Elkhart, Ind./Central) grabbed a 17-yard pass from Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) to give the Thunder a 21-14 lead.

The reception was Hence's second touchdown grab of the afternoon.  The first score, a 60-yard aerial tied the game at 7-7 at the 8:04 mark of the first quarter.  Hence would finish the day with four receptions for 104 yards.  He also ran 10 times for 107 yards to lead Trine (3-0)

Watt, a 2010 Gagliardi Trophy candidate, connected on 11-of-17 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 89 yards on 14 carries.  The Thunder pounded out 515 yards of total offense, including 313 yards rushing. UWRF (0-3) tallied 270 yards of offense,  104 passing.

Aaron Selking (Decatur, Ind./Adams Central) led the Thunder with 11 tackles and one pass broken up. Christian Verley (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills) had nine solo stops.

UWRF tied the game at 11:27 to play in the second quarter, but Trine rallied stopping the next seven possessions to hold-off any upset bid by the host Falcons.

The Thunder return to action October 2 at Adrian College, Kickoff is 3 p.m.